Framed Vs Frameless Shower Doors

A new shower enclosure can transform a bathroom from boring to glamorous. There are so many possibilities for shower glass doors that you may not know where to start. As a Bath Fitting Manufacturer we want to help you make the best decision for you, your bathroom and your home. We've put together the pros and cons of frameless and framed shower doors.

Frameless Sliding Glass Shower Door

Materials

Both framed and frameless shower doors are usually made of tempered glass, which may be treated for easy cleaning. Framed doors are made of thinner glass, as the frame supports the door. The frame itself is usually made of aluminum and can be powder coated in a variety of colors and finishes. The frame can be smooth or textured, and the glass is sealed in the frame to prevent leakage.

Frameless Sliding Glass Shower Door is made of the same tempered glass, but has thicker sheets of glass because there is no supporting frame. Clips, hinges and door pulls are set into the glass and are caulked with thick silicone at the edges and corners to seal the glass. Often, the door itself may have a rubber "broom" at the bottom to keep water out of the shower.

Styles

Both framed and frameless shower doors have many options in terms of style. The glass in both can be frosted, patterned, etched, or antiqued bronze. The biggest stylistic difference is in the configuration of the enclosure.

Framed showers are more limited in terms of what the door can do. Sliding doors are the most common framed showers where the door slides on a track. You can't have a frameless sliding door. It is possible to have a framed door with a built-in panel that opens and swivels within the frame, and a fixed enclosure with a heavy frame at the top. This is less common as enclosures get larger.

Frameless Sliding Glass Shower Door

Frameless doors may have a French opening with two doors hinged side-by-side outward, or they may have a variety of different fixed and moving panels that can be swiveled and hinged on a fixed panel. For example, a fixed panel might be secured to the wall and the door would hinge off the panel. This construction means more glass, but is necessary to provide a tight seal. It is also easier to create a bespoke look with frameless doors, including knee walls and three-wall glass enclosures for an open, more minimalist look. It is possible to find frameless splashbacks or fixed panels without moving doors to contain some spray without creating an entry barrier.